The Hockey Spy’s Top 10 Players to Watch Day 2 of 2010 NHL Entry Draft

Christopher Ralph is a sportswriter with a focus on hockey prospects, the entry draft, as well as occasional Flames coverage here at THW.

NHL GMs and their respective scouting teams made a mockery of the most brilliantly done mock drafts – my Three Round Mega Mock Draft included. I did manage to tie Bob McKenzie of TSN in correctly naming 25 out of the 30 prospects taken in the first round.

The Ducks look to be the big winners on Day 1, committing grand theft larceny in nabbing Cam Fowler in the 12th slot – I had him ranked 3rd overall. He will make the retirement of Scott Niedermayer an easier pill to swallow. Picking up my 7th ranked prospect, Emerson Etem, at 29th was shear brilliance, with a splash of luck, bringing the Californian kid home.

Emerson Etem {Photo: Chris Ralph}

The following are 10 players are key players to watch on Day 2 of the draft. Some should be snatched up early, while it will be curious to see where some will land. The first five were the leftovers from my Top 30 and you can click on name to view detailed Full Potential Prospect Profile:

1. John MacFarland – Plays well in International play, but underwhelming OHL season. He was, however, a monster at the Scouting Combine.

10. Teemu Pulkinnen – Injury-riddled season was somewhat redeemed by outstanding WJC-U18s in which he was the top scorer. Will the Wild be able to snag him to match him up with partner-in-crime, Mikael Granlund, who he excels playing with.